Safety-chest.



L. MYERS.

SAFETY CHEST.

APPLICATION FILED 00w. 10. 1910 1, 1 22,021 Patented Deb. 22, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1. Iy.i

21% 0mg: & gl wvemto c 7 @313 aHlo cme THE NORRIS PETERS C0. PHOTO-LITHQ, WASHINGTON, D. c.

L. MYERS.

SAFETY CHEST.

APPLICATION FILED 0GT.10, 1910.

1,122,021 Patented Dec. 22, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Wendie z UNITED STATES PATENT onrion.

LOUIS MYERS, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE NEW YORK SAFETY CHEST COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SAFETY-CHEST.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 22, 1914.

Application filed. October 10, 1910. Serial No. 586,316.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LOUIS MYnRs, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Newark, county of Essex, in the State of New Jersey, and whose post-oiiice address is 79 Thirteenth avenue, Newark, New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety-Chests, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to portable safety chests or receptacles, adapted to contain jewelry or other valuble articles or papers and to give an alarm when the same are tampered with, and particularly when they are tilted, as in the act of carrying.

The objects of the invention are to provide a mechanism which can be conveniently accommodated in the interior of the chest, without occupying too much space, as under the lid of the receptacle, to render such a mechanism reliable in its response to tilting of the box in any direction, to facilitate the resetting of the mechanism, and to provide a weighted unstable actuator adapted positively to actuate a mechanical part to set off the alarm.

With these ends in view, the invention consists in the parts, improvements and combinations hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration, the preferred embodiment of the invention: Figure 1 is a plan view of the interior of the chest, taken on the line 11 of Fig. 2; Fig. 2 is a vertical section, taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a detail perspective of part of the mechanism, showing more particularly the re-setting means; Figs. t and 5 are detail views of the element intermediate the gravity-operated actuator and the alarm, showing more particularly the means for holding this element in its two positions; and Fig. 6 is a detail of the actuator and the engaging element.

In these views, the numeral 10 indicates the chest, which may be of any suitable construction, preferably of metal, and is provided with a cover or closure 11, which may be hinged. Means are provided for locking the closure, and such means may be widely varied, but preferably consist of locking slides 13 at opposite sides of the interior of the cover, having hooked portions 14 taking over studs 15 or the like projecting from the inner Walls of the body of the receptacle. The slides 13 may be supported and guided by suitable means, such as studs 16 on the inside of the cover and slots 17 formed in the slides. A transverse lever 18, extending across beneath the cover engages at its ends with the slides, and constitutes an embodiment of means for operating the slides or holding devices simultaneously.

A suitable alarm is inclosed within the chest, preferably beneath the cover, and may consist of an electric bell 19, with its clapper and armature 20 and magnet 21. A dry battery for operating the bell is indicated at 22, but it will be obvious that the alarm may be operated by any suitable mechanism, electrical or mechanical.

, In accordance with the invention, the alarm is caused to be operated by a weighted, unstable device which travels in a circular path in a plane substantially parallel to the horizontal plane of the receptacle. In the best embodiment of the invention, an actuator is mounted for rotation in a plane substantially parallel to the top and bottom of the chest. The particular form of device illustrated comprises a hub 24 journaled on a vertical axis inside the chest, as on a stud 25 projecting downward from the lid, a weighted arm 26 projecting eccentrically and preferably horizontally from the hub, and a circular corrugated cam-way 27 on the device, preferably formed on the hub, so that the hub may be designated an actuating hub. Thus, it will be seen that the gravity-actuated device normally lies in a horizontal plane and is adapted to swing in an inclined plane whenever the chest is tilted. In order to insure that the tilting of the chest will never catch the arm on dead center, I provide two weighted arms 26 arranged at an angle to each other. Bearing balls 28 may be employed in conjunction with the hub 24: to reduce friction and to render the device more sensitive. The stud 27 may also be the support for the bell, and the arms 26 may swing inside the gong of the bell, as shown.

In accordance with the invention, an element 30 is interposed between the actuator and the alarm, this element being adapted to engage with the actuator in any one of a number of positions of the latter and to be forced out of engagement by movement of the actuator. In the particular construction illustrated, the intermediate element is a lever, pivoted intermediate its length by pivot screws 31 on a bracket 32. One end of the lever engages the corrugated way 27, and the other end may carry a circuitclosing contact 33, adapted to bridge across two contacts 3 1 of the bell circuit when the lever is tilted out of set position by the movement of the actuator.

In accordance with the invention the ac tuated element 30 is adapted to be held either in actuated or in set position. To this end I prefer to provide yielding detent means, a suitable embodiment of which consists of a ball 35 received in a bore in the bracket 32 and pressed by a spring 36 so as to take into either of two sockets 4:1 in the side of the lever 30.

Means are provided for resetting the mechanism by the unlocking of the chest. In the particular construction illustrated, 37 indicates the stem or barrel of any suitable form of combination lock, which is connected with the lever 18 by means of a catch 38 pivoted to the lever and engaging the lock stem. Formed on the lever 18 is an inclined camming projection 39, which is adapted to engage the tail of an intermediately pivoted lever 10 to tilt the latter. The said lever 10 is adapted to engage the lever 30, the arrangements being such that when the lock is opened the lever 30 is forced into engagement with the corrugated actuator and held there positively against actuation thereby until the receptacle is locked again.

In operation, the parts being in set position, tilting of the receptacle or agitation of the mechanism, as by drilling or the like, causes the double arm 26 to swing, thus rotating the corrugated cam-way 27, and forcing the forward end of the lever 30 downward. If for any reason the first rounded tooth of the cam-way should not actuate the lever, one of the succeeding teeth must necessarily do so. The rear end of the lever is raised, thus causing the contact 33 to bridge across the contacts 34:, completing the bell circuit and causing the bell to sound continuously. The detent 35 holds the lever 30 in this actuated position, irrespective of the subsequent swinging of the arm 26, so that the ringing continues without interruption. To stop the sounding of the alarm, an authorized person turns the combination lock to release the cover of the chest. This raises the tail of the lever 40, causing this lever to depress the rear end of the lever 30, thus breaking the bell circuit and re-setting the lever 30 in engagement with the actuator, in which position the lever is yieldingly held by the bell detent. The sound may emerge from the chest through a suitable perforated guard as.

lVhile the alarm mechanism has been described as embodied in a safety chest, it may be applied in other ways to protected de vices.

Many changes in form, proportions, details, structure and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A safety chest or receptacle containing an alarm and means for operating the same, and means for controlling the alarm comprising a weight-carrying device pivoted on a vertical axis so as to swing in a fixed plane relative to said axis, said device normally lying in a substantially horizontal plane and being adapted to swing in an inclined plane when the receptacle is tilted.

2. A safety chest or receptacle containing an alarm and means for operating the same, and means for controlling the alarm comprising a weight-carrying arm pivoted on a vertical axis so as to swing in a fixed plane relative to said axis, said arm normally lying in a substantially horizontal plane and being adapted to swing in an inclined plane when the receptacle is tilted.

3. A safety chest or receptacle containing an alarm and means for operating the same, and means for controlling the alarm comprising arms carrying angularly related weights and pivoted on a vertical axis so as to swing in fixed planes relative to said axis, each of said arms normally lying in a substantially horizontal plane and being adapted to swing in an inclined plane when the receptacle is tilted.

1. A safety chest or receptacle containing an alarm and means for operating the same, and means for controlling the alarm comprising a weighted arm pivoted on a vertical axis and constrained to rotate in a fixed plane relative to said axis whenever the receptacle is agitated.

5. A safety chest or receptacle containing an alarm and means for operating the same, means for controlling the alarm com prising a weighted actuator arm pivoted on a vertical axis and constrained to rotate in a fixed plane relative to said axis whenever the receptacle is agitated and a mechanical element between the arm and the means for operating the alarm, said element being constructed and arranged so as to be positively actuated by said actuator arm.

6. A safety chest or receptacle containing an alarm and means for operating the same, and means for controlling the alarm comprising an actuating hub pivoted on a vertical axis and an eccentric weight mounted thereon adapted to rotate the hub Whenever the receptacle is tilted.

7. A safety chest or receptacle containing an alarm and means for operating the same, and means for controlling the alarm comprising a hub rotating about a substantially vertical axis and two weighted arms extending therefrom at an angle to each other.

8. A safety chest or receptacle containing an alarm and means for operating the same, and gravity-operated means for controlling the alarm comprising a hub journaled about a vertical axis inside the receptacle and an eccentric Weight mounted on the hub.

9. A safety chest or receptacle containing an alarm and means for operating the same, and a gravity-operated device for causing the alarm to be operated Whenever the receptacle is tilted, said device consisting of a hub mounted to rotate about a vertical axis on the inside of the receptacle and an eccentric Weight thereon and a circular cam- Way on the device.

10. A safety chest or receptacle containing an alarm and means for operating the same, and a gravity-operated device for causing the alarm to be operated Whenever the receptacle is tilted, said device consisting of a hub mounted to rotate abouta vertical axis on the inside of the receptacle and an eccentric weight thereon and a cam-Way on the device disposed about the axis of the hub.

11. A safety chest or receptacle containing an alarm and means for operating the same, means for setting off the alarm Whenever the receptacle is agitated, said means including a rotary actuator and a Weight for rotating the same, said actuator having an actuating region extending around its axis of rotation, and an actuated part intermediate the alarm-operating means and actuator and adapted to engage With the actuator in any position of the latter.

12. A safety chest or receptacle containing an alarm and means for operating the same, means for setting off the alarm Whenever the receptacle is agitated, said means including a circular corrugated actuator mounted for rotary movement about a vertical axis and a Weight for rotating said actuator, and an actuated element intermediate the alarmoperating means and actuator and adapted when in set position to engage With the actuator in any position of the latter and to be forced out of set position by movement of the actuator.

18. A safety chest or receptacle containing an alarm and means for operating the same, means for setting oif the alarm Whenever the receptacle is agitated, said means including a rotary actuator and a Weight for rotating the same, said actuator having a continuous actuating path formed about its axis of rotation, and an electrical-circuit-closing device adapted When inset position to engage With the actuator in any position of the latter and to be forced out of set position to close the circuit by movement of the actuator.

14. A safety chest or receptacle containing an alarm and means for operating the same, means for setting OK the alarm Whenever the receptacle is agitated, said means including a movable actuator mounted so as to move in an arcuate actuating path in a plane fixed With relation to the receptacle, and a Weight for rotating said actuator, and an electrical-circuitcontrolling lever adapted when in set position to engage with the actuator in any position of the latter and to be tilted out of set position by movement of the actuator.

15. A safety chest or receptacle containing an alarm and means for operating the same,- gravity-operated means for setting off the alarm Whenever the receptacle is tilted, said means including a circular actuator and a. Weight for rotating said actuator, an element intermediate the alarm and actuator and adapted When in set position to engage With the actuator in any position of the latter and to be forced out of set position by movement of the actuator, a closure for the receptacle, a lock therefor, and a re-setting device actuated by the lock.

16. A safety chest or receptacle containing an alarm and means for operating the same, gravity-operated means for setting oh the alarm Whenever the receptacle is tilted, said means including a circular actuator and a Weight for rotating said actuator, an element intermediate the alarm and actuator and adapted When in set position to engage With the actuator in any position of the latter and to be forced out of set position by movement of the actuator, a closure for the receptacle, locking means therefor comprising holding devices at opposite sides of the receptacle, a lever connecting said devices for simultaneous movement and means for operating the holding devices, and a re-setting device actuated by said lever to re-set said intermediate element When the receptacle is unlocked. v

17. A safety chest or receptacle having an alarm and electrical means for operating the same, a gravity-operated device movable in a plane fixed With relation to the chest and adapted to move Whenever the receptacle is tilted, a sWitch separate from said gravity-operated device and controlling said electrical means, and a positive mechanical connection between the gravity-operated device and the switch.

18. A safety chest or receptacle having an alarm and electrical means for operating the same, a Weighted actuator movable in a plane fixed With relation to the chest and adapted to move Whenever the receptacle is agitated, a mechanical element between said actuator and the alarm-operating means, said element being constructed and arranged so as to be positively actuated by said tuator, and mechanical means for holding said element in actuated position independent of the actuator, whereby the alarm Sounds continuously whe set off.

19. A safety chest or receptatcle having an alarm and electrical means for operating the same, a weighted arm adapted to swing in a plane fixed with relation to the chest whenever the receptacle is agitated, an element constructed and arranged so as to be mechanically and positively actuated by said arm to set off the alarm, and mechanical means for holding said element in actuated position independent of the actuator, whereby the alarm sounds continuously when set off.

20. A safety chest or receptacle having alarm and means for operating the same, a weighted arm adapted to swing whenever the receptacle is agitated, an element adapted to be mechanically and positively actuated by said arm to set off the alarm, and a yielding detent for holding said element in actuated position independent of the actuator.

21. A safety chest or receptacle having an alarm and means for operating the same, a Weight-carrying arm adapted to swing in a plane fixed with relation to the chest when ever the receptacle is agitated, an element constructed and arranged so as to be mechanically and positively actuated by said arm to set off the alarm, and spring pressed means for holding said element either in actuated or in set position.

22. A safety chest or receptacle having an alarm and means for operating the same, a weight-carrying device adapted to more in a plane fixed with relation to the chest whenever the receptacle is tilted, and an element mechanically actuated by said device to set olf the alarm, and mechanical means whereby said element remains either in actuated or set position independently of said weight carrying device.

A safety chest or receptacle having an alarm and means for operating the same, a gravity-operated device adapted to move whenever the receptacle is tilted, an element actuated by said device to set olf the alarm, and spring detent means for holding said element either in actuated or set position.

24. A safety chest or receptacle having an alarm and means for operating the same, a weighted arm adapted to swing whenever the receptacle is agitated, an element adapted to be positively actuated by said arm to set off the alarm, means for re-setting said element, and means for holding said element in actuated position independent of said arm.

25. A safety chest or receptatcle having alarm and electrical means for operating the same, a weighted arm adapted to swing whenever the receptacle is agitated, a circuit controlling element adapted to be positively actuated by said arm to set off the alarm, means for re-setting said element, and means for holding said element in actuated position independent of said arm.

An alarm mechanism for protected devices, comprising an alarm and means for operating the same, and means for setting off the alarm including a weighted arm pivoted on a vertical axis and constrained to rotate in a fixed plane relative to said axis whenever the mechanism is agitated.

27. An alarm mechanism for protected devices, comprising an alarm and means for operating the same, a weighted actuator pivoted on' a vertical axis and adapted to rotate whenever the mechanism is agitated, said actuator having an actuating cam way formed about its axis of rotation, and an element adapted to be actuated by said actuator to set off the alarm and to engage with the cam way in any position of the latter.

An alarm mechanism for protected devi. es, comprising an alarm and means for operating the same, a weighted arm mounted to rotate about a vertical axis and carrying a corrugated actuating region formed con tinuously around its axis of rotation, an element adapted to be actuated by said actuator to set oil the alarm and to engage with the actuator in any position of the latter, yielding means for holding said element in actuated position, and means for resetting the element in engagement with the actuator.

In testimony. whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LOUIS MYERS. l' v itnesses J. J. KozINN, WM. F. Brssnve.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

